This week, Julian Fantino, the minister responsible for military procurement, for the first time indicated the Harper government was considering alternatives to the 9 billion dollar purchase of F-35 stealth fighter jets. Until now, the government has maintained there was no other acceptable plane and no alternative plans, as the cost of the fighter climbs and its production and performance problems mount. How big a development is this, and what might it mean? Why is the government changing its message?

2. Robocalls – The Latest:

At the end of the week, Elections Canada announced it has 700 concrete complaints concerning misleading or fraudulant automated or live phone calls to voters around the country. That, a few weeks after announcing it had received 31,000 “contacts” on the issue. What should we make of this latest development? Where is this issue going?

3. NDP leadership: The Final Stretch:

On March 24th, 131,000 NDP party members will choose a new leader to replace the late Jack Layton. We’ll look at the latest in the race among the 7 candidates.

About

Martin Stringer

Having covered the Canadian political scene for more than 25 years, Martin is as politically astute as he is savvy. He joined CPAC in 1996 and has covered leadership races, political conventions and federal elections, serving as PrimeTime Politics’ Hill correspondent daily and host of the show’s Friday edition. Martin began his career as a reporter for CBC Radio in Quebec City and also worked for seven years as national and international producer for CBC Radio’s flagship show, As It Happens.